Automatic Irrigation in a Peach Orchard

Abstract Systems to control water supply commonly use one or a combination of the following measurements: 1) soil-water suction using tensiometers, 2) soil-water content from the neutron moisture meter, 3) pan evaporation, 4) rate of fruit growth, or 5) timing based on the knowledge of soil, plants, and environment in a particular orchard (1, 3, 4, 5). Most of these methods require a regular commitment of time and management skill; some are expensive (neutron meter) or need constant maintenance (tensiometers). The following report describes a matric suction sensor (MS sensor) that controls irrigation through soil-water suction.

Hali tarjima qilinmagan